MORE than 50 years on, these veterans were finally honoured for their bravery.

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia - Malaysian Service Medal - was handed to former servicemen in recognition of their bravery defending the country’s independence from terrorists.

Brigadier general Othman Bin Jamal, of the Malaysian High Commission, was on hand at Newcastle Rugby Club to present medals to around 40 North East veterans.

He said: “It is our gesture to honour the sacrifice and contribution made by all the veterans to the Government and people of Malaysia to ensure we now live in peace and harmony.”

The event was a chance for veterans to share memories of time served in the former British Malaysia.

After becoming independent in 1957, Malaysia still faced a serious threat from guerilla soldiers working on behalf of the Malayan Communist Party and asked for help from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Among those who collected the medal yesterday was 64-year-old Anthony Bell, from Washington, who served as an infantryman in Serembam in 1966.

He said talking to fellow veterans had reminded him of his experiences.

He said: “It was humid and uncomfortable.

“You tend to forget because it was 50 years ago.

“I think it is very generous of the Malaysian government to recognise the efforts and sacrifice some of the soldiers made.”

Veteran Andy Owens, 68, of North Shields, said he would wear his medal with pride.

He said: “I was 21 at the time and it was a mind-blowing experience, us young lads going into the jungle. Everything was air-dropped and you can imagine how hot it was.

“It was a long, long time ago but you still feel proud that someone has recognised the contribution that you have made to their country.

“It feels really nice.”

Awarded in 2006, British veterans were permitted to accept the medal but initially forbidden to wear it.

Campaigners fought to have that decision overturned in 2007 and volunteers have since organised ceremonies throughout the country to hand out the honours.

Volunteer John Simcock, a Malaysian veteran himself, headed the campaign and has organised ceremonies in the country.

He said: “We volunteered to help the Malaysians because our own Government wasn’t interested.

“This is a medal that has been given to us by a foreign country and that our government refused initially to let us have which we thought was an absolute disgrace.

“We fought to have that decision overturned.

“You can see what it means to these people.

“There was one man who could hardly walk but he was determined to come up and collect his medal.”